Here at our phenomenal NetBet online casino, we strive to continuously update our ever-growing library of games across all areas. Whether that be card games, table games or anything in between, NetBet has you covered. Today we look at the iconic game of pai gow. At our casino online, we have a wide array of games inspired by the historical domino game. Let’s take a further look at the history of Pai Gow.
What is Pai Gow?
Pai Gow is a Chinese gambling game played with 32 domino tiles. It has centuries of history and is played in casinos all over the world. At first, the rules seem daunting but once you know what each domino tile represents, you will be a pro in no time. Pai Gow tiles are different to traditional dominoes and you cannot play Pai Gow without the correct tiles.
Usually, games are played by 2-8 people, with smaller groups suggested when starting out. Chips or real money are used to place bets as the game goes on. Players will see that each tile has a number of spots on it between 2 and 12. The number of spots determines the tile’s value and name. There are 16 pairs of matching tiles in total, with the aim of the game to make sure you have the highest value tiles in your hand.
Each set of pairs has its own name and value which you must learn over time in order to understand the game fully. In a similar way to games like poker, tiles are dealt and players then decide to hold, collect or pay based on the hand they have in comparison to the dealer. Whoever has the highest value tiles wins the bet and the game then starts over. Pai Gow has many variations today and has even inspired its own version of poker with Pai Gow poker being massively popular.
History of Pai Gow
Pai Gow originated in ancient China and is the first documented form of dominoes. The original game was created based on the Chinese creation myth, with the name of each pair of tiles representing a part of the creation story. As popular as the game was, it was the eastern world where the game was most popular. History suggests the original game never took off in the west due to its intricacies and rules.
However, Pai Gow would go on to inspire a US casino owner to bring elements of it to the western casino world. After seeing Pai Gow in action, he would introduce Pai Gow poker to the USA, combining the rules of Pai Gow with traditional poker. This helped the western world take notice as it was marketed alongside a game they knew and loved. Now Pai Gow can be played in a number of ways, with the poker variations still very popular in the west.
Online Pai Gow at NetBet
At NetBet, we have a huge variety of games that we believe to be the very best on the market. No matter what kind of games you enjoy, you are sure to find something for you at our online casino.
When it comes to Pai Gow, we have a number of poker titles which incorporate the rules of Pai Gow. If you head to our Live Casino page or Vegas page, you will find a number of poker titles for you to try. Each of them with different themes, features and rules to add a fresh element each time.
Some of our most popular poker games include All Aces Poker, Three Card Poker and of course our classic Live Poker with real dealers in real-time. Whatever kind of poker game you are into, whether you are a beginner or a high-roller, head to NetBet to explore what we have to offer.
There is no denying the history and influence of Pai Gow on the world of casinos and gambling. Now the Western world is massive fans of the game and has given it a new lease of life with the poker titles.
When you choose our fantastic NetBet Casino, you can enjoy a whole range of top-quality games all around. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, we regard player wellbeing as our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
